Dispatch's Players of the Year honored at reception

Michael Carr, The Dispatch’s Boys Player of the Year, is congratulated by Adam Minichino, Dispatch sports editor, at the launch party for The Dispatch’s Sports Review magazine Friday at the Rosenzweig Arts Center in Columbus. Also honored was Jameika Hoskins, Girls Player of the Year. Photo by: Kelly Tippett Buy this photo.

Athletes from West Point and Aberdeen Friday were recognized as players of the year, during a Dispatch party to celebrate the launch of a new sports magazine, Sports Review.

Michael Carr, of West Point High School, was named The Commercial Dispatch''s Boys Player of the Year for his efforts at helping the school win its sixth state title in football.

Being recognized as an athlete of the year makes him feel like "royalty," Carr said Friday.

"It''s a blessing from God," he explained, noting the credit goes to "Jesus Christ, himself."

Asked for advice for upcoming players, Carr responded, "Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not on your own understanding.

"I thank God for all my coaches," he added. "I pray they win all this year and defend the title. Go Green!"

"He''s got a great work ethic," Carr''s coach, Chris Chambless, said of Carr. "He''s a good person. There are nothing but good things to say about him."

Both a volleyball and basketball player, Jameika Hoskins, of Aberdeen High School, was named as The Commercial Dispatch''s Girls Player of the Year.

"She''s a very talented player," Herman Peters, a coach for West Lowndes High School, said of Hoskins, whom he''s seen play. "I like her style. She''s as outstanding in track as she is in basketball. She''s an all-around player."

"It feels great," said Hoskins. "Just work hard and great things will come. Never give up."

"We appreciate our two athletes of the year and wish them all the best," said Dispatch Publisher Birney Imes. "I think the lessons you learn playing sports are important life lessons.

"We want to celebrate and encourage extracurricular activities of all sorts," he continued. "There''s as much learning opportunities in playing sports, participating in the band and drama, as there are in the classroom."